Dance Competition Entry Form

Dedicated to the preservation, performance, and the enjoyment of Scottish music and dance, Tucson Celtic Festival is proud to have the Seven Pipers Scottish Society participating in the Celtic Festival. Seven Pipers has an active Highland Dance Section and School with dancers competing at festivals and performing in shows and special events in the Southwest.

Scottish Highland Dance

Highland dances are high-powered and spectacular solo dances, some of which were originally war and battle dances. They have evolved over the centuries coming through the mists of Scottish history, into the form we know today. These dances are now danced in competitions at Highland Games and Celtic festivals, and sometimes in artistic performances and choreographies. Highland dances, usually danced in a kilt, are now dazzling, aerial displays of intricate footwork requiring strength, power, and stamina combined with agility and lightness (some have called the Highland form, “ballet on steroids!”).

Traditional Highland dances have stories or legends accompanying them, and many were historically danced by men to stay fit and prepare for, or celebrate after battle. Scottish National dances are a more gentle and graceful form that is danced in a dress rather than a kilt. The following are some of the dances you will see in competition today.

Highland Dances

The Highland Fling –A dance of victory in battle. Traditionally, the ancient warriors and clansmen performed this dance on the small round shield (called a targe), which they carried into battle. The raised arms represent antlers of the great Highland stag.

The Sword Dance (Ghillie Callum) – The ancient dance of war of the Scottish Gael. It is said to date back to King Malcom Canmore, when the king danced over swords after victory in battle.

The Seann Truibhas – Pronounced shawn trews in the Gaelic language, its translation into English is “old trousers”. The dance has obscure origins, but tradition states that it represents a Highlander shedding his hated trousers (which he was forced to wear by the English) in favor of the freedom of his native Highland kilt.

Scottish National Dances

Flora MacDonald’s Fancy – the Flora is the best known and oldest of the National

Dances. It was created in honor of Flora MacDonald who assisted Bonnie Prince Charlie in his escape from the British.

Scottish Lilt – The Lilt is a gentle flowing dance with balladic style typical of the National Dances.

Highland Dance Competition Information

Competition Rules

• Competition will be governed by SOBHD rules.

• Dancers who are registered for 2019, but do not have their valid card with them may dance; However, any awards won will be held until the dancer sends a copy of their card to the organizer, within 10 days following the competition. All dancers without their valid registration cards must provide a copy of their card to the organizer and $10 within 10 days, regardless of whether they won any awards. In addition, all dancers without cards will have their names sent to Diane Krugh.
• Change in classification must be received by October 30, 2019.
• This is a non-refundable entry.• Organizers reserve the right to cancel, split or combine, add events or makes changes within the SOBHD rules.
• Competitors will dance in inverse order of entry.
• All competitors are expected to comply with FUSTA Code of Ethics.
• Any dancer causing delay will forfeit entry in any event.
• Any attempt to approach a judge or piper on behalf of a competitor may result in disqualification.
• Dancers must be in competition dress to accept all awards.
• Decisions of the judge are final. Protests must be made in writing and submitted to the Executive Secretary with a fee of $5.00 before the end of the competition. Fee will be returned if protest is sustained.
• All dances count toward aggregate trophies.
• Aggregate trophy is awarded to the dancer in their class and age category with the highest points in all dances.
• Primary dancers will receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, and participation awards.
• Pre-Premier dancers will receive medals for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places and aggregate trophies based on age group and category.
• Premier class will receive cash awards and aggregate trophies based on the number of dancers and age group.
• The 15 & under and 16 & over Premier prize money is 1st, $60, 2nd, $30, 3rd, $15.
• The Jean and Phil Donnachie Memorial Trophy is a perpetual trophy awarded to the Premier dancer who has earned the most aggregate points. Less than six Premier dancers within each age group will require a dance off for the trophy.
• The Most promising Pre-Premier Dancer Beginner and Novice Class: $25 scholarship is awarded to a dancer in each of the Pre-premier categories: Beginner and Novice. The winners will be determined by dance-off between the first place recipients within each class. The qualifying dance will be drawn the day of competition from the Fling, Sword, and Sean Triubhas.
• Terry Burke Memorial Award –will be awarded to the winner/s of the choreography competition. It is a perpetual plaque and $25 scholarship. If a group is to win this award, the scholarship would benefit the dance school and name of school would be placed on plaque.For more information, please contact Trish Nuzzo at (520) 591-8257 or highlanddance@tucsoncelticfestival.org

Judge and Workshop Instructor

Jennifer Hastings

Workshop Details

Sunday, 9 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Workshop for Intermediate and Premier dancers will be held at the dance competition stage. On Sunday morning.

Saturday Evening Dinner with the Judge 6:30 pm The Highland competitors and families are invited to join the Judge for dinner after the competition. We will be feasting together at Cheesecake Factory located at the Tucson Mall; a quick 5 minute trip from the games site.

There will be a sign-up sheet the day of the games

The location of the dance stage is the same as last year:

Coming from the entrance dance families should walk straight to the end of the corridor that separates all of the food vendors and turn right. The stage should be just to the right of the walkway at the North-end of the games.

PLEASE NOTE: Registration begins at 9 am for all classes. Dancing will start at 9:30am.